Wagon underframe



Feb. 20, 1934. R. R. cEAsE WAGON UNDERFRAME Filed May 11, 1951 3 zleets-sheet 11 S NN Feb. 20, 1934. R. R. cEAsE WAGON UNDERFRAME 2 Sheets-Shea?l 2 fn Vey/for' /ef/KCW fof/v7@ Filed May 11 Patented Feb. 20, 1934 PATENT oFFlcE.

' UNITED STATES WAGON UNDERFRAME Robert R. Cease, Nameoki, Ill.,

assignor to General Steel Castings Corporation, Granite City, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application May 11, 1931. Serial No. 536,616`

5 Claims.

`formed of built-up construction in which the various parts of the underframe and superstructure are bolted or riveted together. Consequently, due to the unusually hard service to which dump wagons are subjected and to the strains set up in constantly loading and dumping rough materials, especially where a steam shovel is used for loading, the period of time during which the wagon frame retains its rigidity and usefulness is comparatively short. l

The main object of the present invention is to construct a dumping wagon which will effectually withstand rough usage and continual shocks of loading and dumping over a long period of time. Another object is to improve the mounting of equipment on the frame by eliminating bolted and riveted joints where possible. I attain these general objects and other detail objects in the integral cast structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a top view of my novel underframe structure.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side View of the underframe showing the drawbar arrangement and wheels with traction belt.

Figure 4 is a rear view of the same showing the body superstructure.

Figure 5 is a front view of the underframe.

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 6--6 of Figure 1 and shows the drop door arrangement.

The underframe includes main longitudinal side sills 1 of channel shape, box shaped front and rear end sill members 2 and 3, respectively, and a central transom or bolster member 4 having downwardly and outwardly depending legs 5 provided with bearings 6 near their lower extremities for journaling supporting axle elements (not shown). The bottom web 4a, of the bolster is centrally recessed as at 4b for a purpose to be hereafter described. The web of each side sill is deepened and inclined outwardly adjacent to the bolster to form gusset-like members for bracing and reinforcing the bolster and bearing structure. Formed integrally with the forward end sill is a box section reinforcing structure including inwardly and forwardly converging walls 24 and upper and lower webs 25 and 26, all perforated to facilitate casting and to lighten the structure and merging with web 26 is a horizontally disposed cylindrical draft pocket 7. for mounting a draft rigging including a heavy pipe 8, an upright yoke 9, and a pin 10 for coupling with another vehicleLA spring l1 provides a Vyielding connection between pin 10 and yoke 9.y

A pair of horizontally disposed lugs v12 project outwardly from the rear end sill member 3 and are adapted to receive a drawbar for coupling with another vehicle to the rear thereof. Upright reinforcing ribs 27 are disposed between upper lug 12 and the wall of end sill 3 and shallow ribs 28 are similarly positioned between lower llug 12 and end sill 3. Lugs 12, which are pro- .vided forv coupling additional wagons into v1th@ train, are on a higher level thandraft vpin 1Q, which is intended to be connected to a tractor or other self propelled vehicle. When the dumping wagon is to be included in a train between other vehicles, both of which have draft rigging located higher than pin 10, pipe 8 may be rotated within pocket 7 so that the coupling will be raised approximately to the level of lugs 12.

*Structure- Dependllg below this reinforcing The vehicle is preferably mounted upon a truck supporting the frame through bearings 6 in each end of the bolster, each truck including wheels 13 and an endless belt traction tread 14. Each bearing is split longitudinally through its bottom side and ears 29 are provided for receiving an adjusting bolt.

The underframe casting is open at the bottom and four drop doors 15 are provided, two on each side of the bolster 4. These doors are supported at their outer edges by means of short connected with a suitable winding mechanismwo (not shown) for lowering and raising the doors. The dumping mechanism may be arranged so that the doors may be dropped separately or in groups.

rPhe superstructure, shown in Figure 4, includes upright slabs or posts 22 and 23 of any suitable -4 shape and size, which are shown riveted to the upper webs la. of the channel side sills 1, and to sloping inner webs of the front and rear end sills 2 and 3, respectively (Figures 2 and 3). The walls 30 may be formed of sections of metal or other material secured to posts 22 and 23.

Obviously, the load carried by the wagon must be borne by the underframe and, therefore, my one-piece underframe construction provides for the maximum of strength for a given amount of material as the metal can be most advantageously disposed without the necessity of providing overlapping anges and clearance for bolts and rivets such as are required Where several pieces must be secured together to complete the structure.

Also the various members are not weakened by the presence of holes for connecting bolts or rivets. Furthermore, the structure will remain rigid throughout its life as there are no joints in which moisture and dirt can accumulate to facilitate corrosion and there are no connecting elements to stretch and loosen the joints between the main members of the underframe.

My invention does not contemplate the use of any particular type of superstructure nor of any particular door dropping mechanism. Obviously the underframe structure shown may be modi- Aiied as to various details as, Yfor instance, the number of drop doors and their hanging Without departing from the spirit of my invention and I contemplate the exclusive use of all such variations as come Within the scope of my claims.

I claim:

l. A Vehicle underframe consisting of a onepiece structure including side sills, end sills, and a single central bolster having integral depending legs adapted to mount supporting axle elements, said sills being enlarged adjacent to said bolster to form reinforcing gussets connecting the lower portions of said legs with said side sills.

2. A Wagon underframe consisting of a onepiece structure including side sills of channel section, andra single central bolster member of box section connecting said side sills, said bolster having a central portion, corresponding in depth with said side sills, and having depending portions at each end, there being a recess in the lower extremity of each of said latter mentioned portions for journaling an axle, and integral gussets connecting said extremities with said side sills.

3. A dump wagon underframe consisting of a one-piece structure including side sills, and a single center bolster member of box section having a central opening' in the bottom Web thereof for admitting a drop door operating cable, and a cable anchoring member Within said bolster.

4. In a dump wagon underframe, an integral structure including spaced side sills and a central transom member of box section, there being a central opening in the lower web of saidmember and elements in the side Walls thereof above said opening for supporting a dead end drum .for a drop door operating cable.

5. A Wagon bolster including in an integrali structure a restricted central portion of box rsection, and downwardly and outwardly depending portions of box section at each end of said central portion, there being a horizontally disposed cylindrical bearing in the lower extremity of each r' of said depending portions, each of said bearings being split longitudinally and having projecting ears for engagement with cooperating means for varying the size of said recess.

ROBERT R. CEASE.

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